Surgical Procedures for Gallstones

Surgery to remove the gallbladder is the most common method of treating
gallstones
that have become problematic. When the gallbladder is removed, the surgeon also examines the bile ducts and removes any stones that are present there. The ducts are not removed, so the liver can continue to secrete bile into the intestine to assist with digestion.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

In the United States, laparoscopic
cholecystectomy
has become a very common procedure for removing the gallbladder, accounting for approximately 75% of the surgical procedures. This procedure should not be done if you:

The surgeon makes several tiny incisions in the abdomen and inserts surgical instruments and a miniature video camera into the abdomen. The camera sends a magnified image from inside the body to a video monitor, giving the surgeon a close-up view of the organs and tissues. While watching the monitor, the surgeon inserts instruments through a second incision to carefully separate the gallbladder from the liver, ducts, and other structures. The cystic duct is then cut and the gallbladder is removed.

Because the abdominal muscles are not cut during laparoscopic surgery, patients have less pain and fewer complications than they do after major abdominal surgery. Recovery usually requires only a few days of restricted activity at home.

This procedure has a success rate around 95%. Approximately 10% of the patients will have the following complications:

Aspiration of stomach content

Pancreatitis

Bleeding

Perforated bowel or bile ducts

Recurrent stone

In about 5%-10% of laparoscopies, the doctor needs to switch to an open cholecystectomy.

Open Cholecystectomy

If there are any obstacles to the laparoscopic procedure—such as infection or scarring from other operations—your surgeon may do "open" surgery. It is called "open" surgery because the surgeon has to make a 4- to 8-inch incision (opening) in the abdomen to remove the gallbladder. Open cholecystectomy is very safe, but is considered major surgery and may take several weeks recovery time at home.
This procedure accounts for approximately 25% of all the surgical procedures for gallstones.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.